QS World Future Skills Index 2025

• 20 Jan 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News?  

India ranks 25^th in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025, positioning it as a "future skills contender." The index evaluates how well countries are prepared to meet the evolving demands of the global job market 

What is the  QS World Future Skills Index? 

• About: The QS World Future Skills Index, developed by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), ranks countries on their readiness to meet evolving global job market demands emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and talent development. 
• Indicators:  The Index uses four indicators to measure a country’s preparedness to thrive in an increasingly skills-driven global economy. 
  • Skills Fit: Measures how well a country's education systems align with employer demands. 
  • Academic Readiness: Reflects the capacity of higher education systems to equip students with relevant skills for future jobs, particularly in emerging fields such as Artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and green industries. 
  • Economic Transformation: Assesses a country's adaptability to economic changes by examining the interplay between education, workforce skills, and industrial growth, with a focus on productivity, innovation, and sustainability. 
  • Future of Work: Assesses a country’s preparedness for future jobs, focusing on adaptability to technological and industrial changes. 

 

How Has India Performed in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025? 

• Future of Work: India ranked 2^nd globally, behind the US, for preparedness in future-focused skills like AI, digital technologies, and green industries. 
  • This reflects India’s demand-driven readiness for emerging job roles. 
• Academic Readiness: India ranked 26^th, showcasing moderate alignment between higher education and the demands of the future job market. Emphasis on innovation and adaptability is noted but needs strengthening. 
• Skills Fit: India ranks 37^th,  the lowest among the top 30 countries. This highlights significant gaps between the workforce's skills and employer demands, reflecting challenges within India's higher education system in adapting to the evolving needs of the job market. 
• Economic Transformation: India ranked 40^th, highlighting the challenges in innovation and aligning economic strategies with workforce adaptability. 

 

India’s Initiatives Related to Future Skills Development 

• Industrial Training Institutes 
• Green Skill Development Programme 
• Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) 
• Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ) 
• Skill India Mission 
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 
• SANKALP Scheme  
• Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE). 

Read more: Future of Jobs Report 2025 

 UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)  

Prelims  

Q. The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the (2019) 

(a) International Monetary Fund  

(b) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  

(c) World Economic Forum  

(d) World Bank  

Ans: (c)